1865 Hocapasa Fire and its effects

Hocapaşa has experienced several significant fires throughout history, with the largest occurring in the year 1865. The failures and extent of destruction during the fire highlighted once again the shortcomings of the government's existing organizations. After the fire, aid was provided to those in need, prompting the government to launch a relief campaign and establish a social assistance network. Support from both domestic and international sources was received during relief efforts. The fire had spread over a vast area, leading the government to implement an architectural transformation plan to turn the situation into an opportunity. Post-Hocapaşa Fire, reconstruction activities in the fire-affected area were carried out by the Islahat-ı Turuk Commission. During this process, the construction of wooden buildings in the fire area was prohibited, while the construction of masonry structures was encouraged by the state. The transformation plan initiated in the fire-affected area eventually expanded to the entire city. The goal was to achieve a structural transformation in the city. Infrastructure and road improvement projects aimed to create public spaces following the European model. Additionally, historical monuments and buildings were preserved, contributing to the organized structure of the city.